Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra showcased his clout during a high-profile dinner yesterday in Bangkok. Amidst 100-plus Pheu Thai MPs and coalition lawmakers, he reinforced his continued influence over the Pheu Thai-led government regardless of his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s immediate political future.

 

Despite looming legal threats to Paetongtarn's premiership over a Thai-Cambodian border issue, Thaksin urged coalition partners to stay loyal to the government and possibly beyond the next general election.

 

Rumours whisper of his behind-the-scenes efforts to strike secret deals to shield his daughter from potential court ousting.

 

Thaksin appeared hesitant about selecting an alternative leader, such as Pheu Thai MP Chaikasem Nitisiri, underlining his focus on keeping Paetongtarn in office. Thai Newsroom reported that Chaikasem may step up as prime minister, facing potential rivalry from Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul.

 

Thaksin also fired shots at Bhumjaithai’s surprise exit from the coalition, labelling them "non-gentlemen" after their withdrawal during a public criticism storm against his daughter. Anutin, in response, maintained a diplomatic stance, suggesting the political landscape is ever-changing.

 

As Thaksin tightens his grip, the political chess game in Thailand remains poised for further intrigue. Whether alliances shift once more or resolve strengthens, all eyes are on the courts and coalition corridors alike.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-07-24

 

 

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

Boss Thaksin Shinawatra showcased his clout during a high-profile dinner yesterday in Bangkok. Amidst 100-plus Pheu Thai MPs and coalition lawmakers, he reinforced his continued influence over the Pheu Thai-led government regardless of his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s immediate political future.

This should be the real title of the article. 

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

showcased his clout during a high-profile dinner yesterday in Bangkok. Amidst 100-plus Pheu Thai MPs and coalition lawmakers, he reinforced his continued influence over the Pheu Thai-led government

 

Looks like he had stuffed some of the dinner under his belt?

Of course he wants to keep his daughter as pm so he can rule on the sidelines he should be in hospital because he's sick but loves the limelight and control

1 hour ago, ozz1 said:

Of course he wants to keep his daughter as pm so he can rule on the sidelines he should be in hospital because he's sick but loves the limelight and control

I think.. unitl he either flees Thailand or is arrested and imprisoned again for his medical farce, he will remain in control as long as it is a PTP member as his puppet. 

3 hours ago, thesetat said:

I think.. unitl he either flees Thailand or is arrested and imprisoned again for his medical farce, he will remain in control as long as it is a PTP member as his puppet. 

 

I can only hope for the improisonment, hope theyl'll send him to a very cold country.

PTP are finished. Next election (if there is one) will see them wped out.

Politics in Thailand the envelopes changing hands same same TIT

10 hours ago, webfact said:

De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra showcased his clout during a high-profile dinner yesterday in Bangkok. Amidst 100-plus Pheu Thai MPs and coalition lawmakers, he reinforced his continued influence over the Pheu Thai-led government regardless of his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s immediate political future.

The courts really should shut this guy up once and for-all

...How Is It That This Extreme Aberration Is Allowed To Continue Unchecked ... (?)

He really has been demoted to a 'One badger' Next thing we know he'll be obliged to turn-in his formal civil service uniform. No wonder the caretaker PM Phumtham is laughing.

And Thai people are only concerned with TikTok, weekend piss ups etc while their leaders screw them over. They deserve what’s coming to them. 

13 hours ago, webfact said:

De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra

you got it wrong, it would make more sense "" de facto Pheu Thai "The God Father "

In the past there was great fear of a catastrophic backlash  in the establishment if Thaksin went to jail.  That was why he was allowed to flee the country in 2008. Fast forward 17 years and that is no longer the case.  Younger Thais have no idea who he was and many older red shirts left the fold after he stuck MFP in the back and stole the election by doing a deal with the military parties which he said he would never do. Despite his vaunted skills as a businessman who claims to know how to manage the Thai economy, most Thais are fed up with the mess he and his nominees have made of the Thai economy with their useless, corrupt short term money wasting schemes plunging the country further into debt for nothing.  So please let him rot in prison or run away and only come back as ashes this time.  Let the country try to heal move forward without any corrupt and incompetent Shins pulling the strings any more.  

15 hours ago, thesetat said:

I think.. unitl he either flees Thailand or is arrested and imprisoned again for his medical farce, he will remain in control as long as it is a PTP member as his puppet. 

 

The verdict on his lese majeste case is coming up in August.  It looks like a fairly open and shut case and anyone else would have been locked up without bail and get a 15 year sentence.

3 hours ago, Dogmatix said:

useless, corrupt short term money wasting schemes

2 of his most important economic schemes as prime minister were the introducing healthcare for all (30 Baht) and education for all (student loans).

Both were neither useless nor short term.

Most important,  he inflated the Thai economy from the level of a subsistence economy to a modern economy.  (He was not the smart guy who figured this out by himself, his advisers were MorganStanley)

This guy has been nothing but trouble since he was allowed back into the country and given a pardon from his prison sentence we now have the possibility war with Cambodia and it’s all down to him and his daughter